Orvieto: the Lows or the Pazzo Pozzo (crazy well, my name for it)

Il Pozzo di San Patrizio, or St. Patrick's Well, was built by Pope Clement VII who, after the siege of Rome in the 1500s, feared that Orvieto's (and his) water supply would be compromised.  Here is a view of the well-head from atop the butte.

It looks rather unassuming.

There are 248 steps and the stairwells, there are two, are built as a double helix. Mules could travel down one staircase, have their buckets filled with water, and then travel up the other staircase.

There are 70 windows. Incidentally, these pictures have not been photoshopped. Here is a view looking up.

Bill is taking a rest.

And here is a view looking down.

This is a formidable turnstile!

Let me out!